High Peaks Leads Two Mt. Mitchell Hikes POSTPONED to March 24

We have postponed this hike one week to Saturday, March 24 due to the closure of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Sorry for the inconvenience! All other details remain the same.

Join the NC High Peaks Trail Association for one of two adventurous hikes on Mt. Mitchell on Saturday, March 24. Both hikes will offer tremendous views from the summit of the East’s highest mountain.

The strenuous hike will start at the Black Mountain Campground and climb 6 miles and 3,700 feet to the summit, while the easier hike will start at the Mt. Mitchell State Park office and proceed about 2 miles to the summit, climbing about 700 feet and returning via Camp Alice to the starting point making a loop. Total length is 4.3 miles.

Hikers should meet on the Burnsville Town Square at 8:30 a.m. Transportation will be provided in Yancey County vans for a donation of $5 per person, reservations required by Thursday evening, March 1. No dogs are allowed on the vans, so you must provide your own transportation if you want to bring your leashed pet.

Bring water, lunch, snacks, hiking poles if you use them and many layers of warm clothing plus foul weather gear, as the wind and temperature on the summit can be extreme.

Hikers not wanting to use the vans can meet the groups at the Black Mountain Campground entrance at 9:30 a.m. (you will need to arrange your own car shuttle back down from the summit), or at the Mt. Mitchell State Park Office at 9:45 a.m.

For more information and to make reservations, contact Hike Leader Dennis Smith for the long hike at 284-4000 or dennissmith4141@gmail.com. For the shorter hike, contact Hike Leader John Whitehouse at 682-3217 or trails@nchighpeaks.org.

As always, please check the club’s Facebook page or website,www.nchighpeaks.org, for last-minute changes due to weather.